Page 173 of Never In My Wildest Dreams

“I love it here, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather raise our family. But sweetheart, I don’t care where I live as long as it’s with you. You’re my home. My happiness. My heart.”

“I’m such an idiot. To think I almost lost you.”

He shook his head. “Impossible. We’re meant for each other. And if winding up in that random cabin doesn’t convince you about that, then winding up in the same wedding party two and a half years later should.”

She laughed. “Oh, so Mr. Big Bad Businessman believes in magic, huh?”

“Now that I’ve met you, I do.”

Tears glistened, and she melted into his arms. “But what will you do here?”

“I quit my job, and I made an appointment with the attorney to take ownership of the team.”

Her features softened, and she pinched his hand. “Is this real? It doesn’t seem possible to have all my dreams come true.”

“With a love as big as ours, some hard work, and the help of a little magic, we’ll make our dreams come true. Together.”

Epilogue

Pink,blue, and white balloons bounced and bobbed in a light summer breeze as kids with Velcro beanies chased each other around the lawn, tossing balls at each other’s heads.

What started out as a baby shower for Declan’s wife had turned into a big barbecue when the guys got back from taking the kids to the lake for lunch. Most of the guests had left about an hour ago, but Booker’s friends and their wives stayed.

Of course, when Beau, Margot, Jessa, and Walker came by to deliver a gift for Hellcat, they’d wound up staying, too, since Colt had joined the pack of kids and there was no pulling him away.

“Your child needs some help,” Jaime’s wife said to him as she brought out a tray of cupcakes she’d just whipped up.

Everyone looked over to see the couple’s two-year-old son trying to place his hat on Moto’s head, but the dog kept darting and dodging.

“Well, that answer’s the age-old question,” Cole said. “Coordinationisn’tgenetic.”

Laughter broke out, the bonfire snapped and sparked, and the air was scented with smoke, pine, and fresh mountain air. With Hellcat on his lap, contentment seeped into Booker’s bones. He was a happy man.

“He’s not even two.” Jaime pretended to be offended. “And that dog’s feral.”

“Kind of like your daughter.” Phinny tipped her chin to one of Cole’s twins, who shouted like a Highlander racing into battle while pursuing the older kids with an armful of balls and pummeling them.

While the group cracked up, Cole sat back in his Adirondack chair. “That’s my girl.”

“Meanwhile, there’s our child.” Hellcat had her arm around his neck, her ass parked on his lap, as she pointed. Stevie, who’d been right in the thick of things all day, was lying on the grass, one ankle propped on a bent knee, as she blew the fluff off a dandelion.

“She’s taking a break.” His heart swelled with love for his little girl, the light of his life. “And she doesn’t give a rat’s ass what the other kids think of her.” He admired his daughter’s independent spirit.

“She definitely knows her own mind.”

He kissed her upper arm. “We make good babies. I can’t wait to meet this one.” He pressed his palm flat on her pregnant belly. He loved to feel the little guy move. Of course, at nine months, there wasn’t much room left in there.

Soon…

“Me, too. Blaze is ready to come out.” She gave him a mischievous smile. “I can tell.”

“Right?” They couldn’t decide on a name. She wanted Cash, for Johnny Cash, or Mick, for Mick Jagger. He wanted to name the baby after his dad. Dylan Hayes. It had become a running joke throughout the pregnancy. “As soon as I meet Thor, I think I’ll cry.”

Hellcat broke into a smile. “I can’t wait to show you the personalized night-light I got him. He’ll get to see his name up on the ceiling.” She made a sweeping motion with her hand. “Moose.”

Cracking up, he tightened his hold, and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. They were a bundle of love, and he’d never been happier in his life. God, he loved this woman. She was everything to him.

“Lorelei?” Cole’s wife called. “Moto just ate the bag of marshmallows. Do you have another one?”

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